destinations
Crowland
historic town home to medieval abbey and fenland wildlife
Crowland is some 16 miles from Stamford. Crowland or Croyland as it is also known, was originally on an island in the fens. The Abbey, a monastery of the Benedictine Order, was founded in memory of St Guthlac in the 8th century. Burnt down and rebuilt in 1170, its history was one of growing prosperity and it became one of the most opulent of the East Anglian Abbeys. Due to its isolated fenland position it was comparatively undisturbed until the Dissolution in 1539 when Crowland was surrendered to King Henry VIII, handing over revenues of £1,217 6s 8d. Most of the abbey was destroyed and left in ruins. The remaining north nave aisle is now the parish church and is about one eighth the size of the abbey which existed before 1539. The attached ruins are dramatic.
SPECIAL TO Crowland
Trinity Bridge
Riverside walks
things to do in the Crowland area
Did you know?
Look out for Trinity Bridge, a 14th century three-sided bridge crossing no water!
Originally it spanned the River Welland and a tributary that flowed through the town but they were re-routed in the mid-17th century. The bridge was a practical solution to how to cross two rivers at their confluence without needing three separate bridges. A feature of the town is the many greens in the centre of the streets radiating out from Trinity Bridge.
Reserves & Observatories
Willow Tree Fen
Ten miles north of Crowland is the nature reserve of Willow Tree Fen. It has only been created from farmland since 2009. The once intensively farmed arable land was acquired by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust who have created a transition to a much more traditional fenland landscape. As a measure of its success, in 2020 a pair of cranes returned and successfully raised a chick – a first for Lincolnshire for at least 400 years. The cranes have now taken up residence.
delicious food & drink near Crowland
places to stay near Crowland
more about the South Countryside
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